Sawt Falasteen - With visas denied, Senegal World Cup fans watch from afar

The group of longtime supporters will watch the Lions of Teranga from fan zones in Dakar, however, rather than the North American stadiums where the matches are taking place.

That is largely due to visa restrictions imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump's stringent immigration policy.

In addition to exorbitant prices, US policy has made in-person viewership a virtual fantasy for Senegalese fans, who will mostly remain in Senegal to watch the competition, which runs through to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"It's disappointing not to be there with our team and bring our energy but we will transfer our energy to the Senegalese diaspora (who can attend)", said Abdourakhmane Fall.

The 31-year-old is a member of a supporter group called Lebougui, which was dancing ahead of the first match in the Dakar plaza.

Like other official Senegalese supporters' groups, Lebougui usually travels by the dozens to support the Lions of Teranga at major competitions, at the government's expense.

The Lions will face France on Tuesday at 21h00 GMT at MetLife Stadium in the US state of New Jersey.

"This is the first time we haven't sent a delegation since Senegal has participated in the World Cup, due to visa restrictions in the United States", Ndeye Dome Thiouf, communications advisor at the Ministry of Sports, told AFP.

Pape Mass Gueye, president of Lebougui, was denied a visa.

"Personally, I'm disappointed. I think organising a World Cup shouldn't cause so many problems", he told AFP.

In order to fill the stands, the government distributed 400 tickets per match to Lions of Teranga fans already in the United States.

- Universality 'undermined' -

The border difficulties are also affecting Senegalese journalists who were supposed to cover the World Cup.

Most of them obtained visas but "the situation remains complex since they are only allowed one entry into the United States", said Abdoulaye Thiam, president of the Africa section of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).

The situation will prevent them from traveling to Toronto, Canada to cover Senegal's third group match against Iraq on June 26, as they would be unable to return to the United States to cover the rest of the tournament.

The match against Iraq will be the only one journalist Mamadou Koume will be able to cover during the group stage.

The former president of the National Association of Sports Press of Senegal (ANPS) has covered all of Senegal's World Cup appearances dating back to 2002.

But he was only able to obtain a visa for Canada, and was refused one by the US Embassy.

"The universality of the World Cup is undermined in this edition", said the journalist and author of several books on the Lions of Teranga.

In addition to the entry restrictions, the high cost of the competition is prohibitive, particularly due to accommodation and transportation costs with the World Cup being held in three countries.

"Given the high cost of this World Cup, some Senegalese journalists have declined to participate", Thiam said.

R.AbuNasser--SF-PST